Saruman's Pits

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

For some reason I always imagined that Saruman used his powers to conceal this from Gandalf, who would not be aware of this deceit when arriving in good faith. With Gandalf locked in the tower (which btw seems like a pretty standard place for accommodation of prisoners), there would be no need make an effort to conceal the pits and whatnot.

I have absolutely no reason to assume this, it just seemed the most plausible to me.

However, I do assume that Isengard and the surrounding area are big enough for Saruman to strategically place these installments where the cannot easily be seen.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne

For some reason I always imagined that Saruman used his powers to conceal this from Gandalf, who would not be aware of this deceit when arriving in good faith. With Gandalf locked in the tower (which btw seems like a pretty standard place for accommodation of prisoners), there would be no need make an effort to conceal the pits and whatnot.

I have absolutely no reason to assume this, it just seemed the most plausible to me.

However, I do assume that Isengard and the surrounding area are big enough for Saruman to strategically place these installments where the cannot easily be seen.

What, you thought Saruman cast a "Make Everything Look Pretty" illusion for Gandalf's benefit?

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

What, you thought Saruman cast a "Make Everything Look Pretty" illusion for Gandalf's benefit?

Yes

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

What, you thought Saruman cast a "Make Everything Look Pretty" illusion for Gandalf's benefit?

I pictures Isengard as already being all industrialized when Gandalf came there, but at the same time I thought that a lot of this industry happened underground, both literally and figuratively. I always pictured the pits as having some cover on top, at least partially or temporarily.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

I don't see it happening in just two months, even given a limitless workforce of Uruk-hai - and then the U-H themselves would have taken considerable time to breed (no, they weren't spawned in mud-cocoons, they were gestated and born and had to grow to adulthood).

Saruman had been preparing his move for years.

[Inziladun]

I would put my vote here on some sort of illusion put forth by Saruman.

I would agree that the making of weapons and war machines, and breeding of Orcs, must have been going on for quite a while before it came to Gandalf's notice. We don't know the time period between his last visit to Orthanc and the time he was imprisoned there, but it could have been decades.

Whatever Saruman was up to, he'd also concealed it from Radagast, whom he'd sent to lure Gandalf to Isengard. I don't think it beyond the power of Saruman to somehow affect the minds of those from whom he wished to hide his plans in such a way to make them fail to notice things. And then, when for instance, when Gandalf was in his power and trapped on Orthanc, to draw off the illusion like a curtain to impress or frighten.

[Morsul the Dark]

That's my guess as well, perhaps part of that ring he mentioned. Saruman Ring Maker.

[Mithadan]

Perhaps this is a matter of Saruman enveiling the reality of what had happened to Isengard through the power of his voice? By engaging with Gandalf and attempting to convince him of the rightness of his position, he distracted Gandalf from noticing what had actually happened at Isengard. Saruman's power of persuasion and the use of his voice appears to be among his greatest powers.